I didn't speak, just raised my hand and saluted, and then glanced at Solokub's body on the ground before turning and walking out of the hideout.

I walked back along the trenches, and from time to time I met the commanders and fighters who were carrying the wounded. The commanders and fighters all stopped, leaned over to the wall of the trench and raised their hands to salute me, and only after I had passed did they continue on their way.

I don't feel too much sadness about Colonel Solokub's sacrifice, I have seen too much life and death since I crossed over until now. In times of war, human life is as cheap as a mustard, not to mention a colonel, even a general may be sacrificed. In the brutal Battle of Stalingrad, Sologub was neither the first division commander to be killed, nor the last.

When the herald Sidorin saw me, he greeted me loudly from afar: "Hey, Comrade Lieutenant Colonel, I'm here." Is there anything you would like to explain to me? ”

"Sidorin," I replied loudly, "do you know where the Telecom Soldier is?" I have important information to report to the commander of the army group. ”

"The communications soldier is still parking there, you wait a minute, I'll go and call him for you." With that, he turned around and was about to leave.

I hurriedly stopped Sidorin and told him, "Don't call him over, take me to him." ”

"Then, Comrade Lieutenant Colonel, please come to me. I'll take you to him. ”

As I walked behind Sidorin to the jeep, a strange thought suddenly popped into my mind: why did Chuikov ask me to report to General Shumilov when I heard the news of Colonel Sologub's death? Did he mean that he wanted me to take over the post of commander of the 112th Division?

Although I don't know how many people there are in the 112th Division of Ludao at this time, according to my observation just now. There are definitely not many people. And there is also a serious shortage of ammunition. If you give me such a troop with veteran fatigue. It's okay to defend the rear, but if it is used in the main combat direction, it will not escape the doom of the total annihilation.

The signal corpsman, who was standing not far from the jeep, saw me and Sidorin passing by, hurriedly greeted him, raised his hand and saluted, and asked politely: "Hello, Comrade Lieutenant Colonel. What are the instructions? ”

"Contact the army command immediately. I have important information to report to the commander. "I didn't talk to the communications soldier politely, and I explained my intentions straight to the point.

After contacting the headquarters, the person who answered the phone was another military commissar of the army group, Serdyuk, who was said to have been the first secretary of the Kyiv regional party committee, and when he heard my voice, he kindly asked: "It's you, Lieutenant Colonel Oshanina." Do you have anything to report to the command? ”

"Comrade Military Commissar, I am on the orders of General Chuikov and report to the command." I said in a heavy tone: "Under the combined attack of the 112th and 98th divisions." We succeeded in completely annihilating the enemy occupying the left bank of the Don. However, in the battle, the commander of the 112th Division, Colonel Sologub, did not hesitate to die. ……”

"What? Colonel Sologub died. "Heard that the commander of the 112th Division died. Serdyuk's voice trembled a little, "Comrade Lieutenant Colonel, did you hear from someone, or did you see it with your own eyes?" ”

"I saw with my own eyes the body of Colonel Sologub, Comrade Military Commissar."

Serdyuk fell silent and did not speak for so long that I thought he had cut off contact with me. I turned my gaze to the Messenger to see if he was cut off, only to be shaken and gestured to signal that the communication was continuing.

I waited patiently for a while, but I didn't hear any movement from the other party, so I couldn't help but be a little anxious, and asked tentatively: "Comrade Military Commissar, are you still there?"

Serdyuk woke up from his thoughts and said apologetically: "I'm sorry, Comrade Lieutenant Colonel. I beg your pardon for a moment because I was thinking back to the days when I fought alongside Colonel Sologub. Did you contact the command just to report this? ”

"And not only that, Comrade Military Commissar. General Chuikov said that the commander of the 112th Division had died and hoped that Commander Shumilov would appoint a new division commander as soon as possible. "After I said this, I suddenly felt that something was wrong, wasn't the 112th Division already assigned to the 62nd Army? Shumilov, the commander of the 62nd Army last night, was not qualified to appoint a new division commander.

Sure enough, Serdyuk was also embarrassed and said: "Lieutenant Colonel Oshanina, please tell General Chuikov that the 112th Division has been placed under the command of the 62nd Army, and we have no right to appoint a new division commander now." ”

"Oh, I see. Comrade Military Commissar, I will convey your words to General Chuikov as soon as possible. ”

Although my proposal was rejected, I was able to complete the task assigned by Chuikov, and after leaving the jeep, I returned to my position to find him. However, he did not find Chuikov in the hideout, and pulled a passing soldier to inquire, only to learn that Chuikov and Gorazkov had gone to the Don River.

When I arrived at the river, I saw from a distance that Chuikov and his men were standing facing the Don River, pointing at the river. I hurriedly trotted behind Chuikov, and although he did not notice my arrival, I honestly stood up and saluted, and reported: "Report to Comrade Commander, Lieutenant Colonel Oshanina, having completed the task assigned by you, has come to give you orders, and I ask for your instructions." ”

Chuikov turned his head to see that it was me, beckoned me to come to his side.

I walked up to him and asked curiously, "Comrade Commander, what are you looking at?" ”

Gorazkov next to him preemptively said: "Lieutenant Colonel Oshanina, you look at the river." ”

I looked towards the middle of the Don and saw a long string of wooden rafts towed behind two side-by-side ferries, on which trucks and artillery were neatly arranged. When I saw this, I couldn't help but turn around and ask Chuikov curiously: "Comrade commander, is it the artillery of the 112th Division who is crossing the river?" ”

Chuikov nodded and said: "Yes, I thought that the bridge over the Don was blown up, and there were no special barges, and these cannons and cars left on the right bank could only be blown up. Unexpectedly, Godlevsky, the artillery chief of the 112th Division, actually thought of using this method to transport these equipment, which is really not simple! ”

Although seeing that the ferry has crossed the center of the river. But I still don't feel solid in my heart. I was afraid that an enemy plane would suddenly appear in the sky. With a few dives and bombs, the fleet can be sunk.

Fortunately, what I feared did not happen, and when I saw the ferry firmly on the shore and began to disembark the trucks and artillery in turn, the stone hanging in my heart fell to the ground.

A group of soldiers got out of the ferry and walked straight towards us. Soon they were in front of us, led by a colonel. When I saw the dazzling Red Star medal hanging from his right chest, I suddenly felt that the few Red Banner medals I had received before were overshadowed.

The colonel was about to raise his hand in salute. Chuikov had already stepped forward, shook his hand and greeted warmly: "Hello, our Hero of the Soviet Union, it's a pleasure to meet you here." After shaking hands, he turned to us and said, "You may not know him, this is Colonel Godlevsky, the artillery chief of the 112th Division." For his heroic and tenacious fighting spirit in the war against Finland, he was awarded the Order of the Red Star by the Supreme High Command and the glorious title of Hero of the Soviet Union. ”

Heard in front of him was a Hero of the Soviet Union, in addition to the deputy commander of the 112th Division, Lieutenant Colonel Mihalishin. One by one, General Gorazkov and Colonel Seryokin stepped forward to shake hands with him and at the same time pay tribute to him. After they all shook hands. I stepped forward, stretched out my hand and shook his hand, and at the same time said politely: "Hello, Colonel Godlevsky, it's a pleasure to meet you." ”

"You're not simple, Comrade Lieutenant Colonel." Godlevsky shook my hand and said kindly: "Although I have never met you in person, I have known you for a long time. The deeds of you leading four fighters to repel the enemy's tank units have deeply boosted the morale of all the commanders and fighters of our division. ”

I didn't think much of what he said, because when I was fighting tanks, I was still in the headquarters of the 62nd Army, serving as the adjutant of General Korpakchi, and the 112th Division had already been assigned to Chuikov's army from the battle sequence of the 62nd Army at that time, and it was indeed a bit too far-fetched to boost morale. But since he talked about it, I couldn't be too cold, so I smiled at him.

Unexpectedly, he misunderstood that I was showing modesty, he patted my shoulder with his left hand, and at the same time turned his head to the commanders on the left and right and said: "Look, Comrade Lieutenant Colonel is really too modest, and he has made such great contributions, but he is not willing to show off at all, what a rare good commander!" ”

Before he could continue, Chuikov interrupted him and said, "Comrade Colonel, I have bad news for you. ”

Hearing Chuikov say this, Godlevsky's originally smiling face became serious, and he said with a straight face: "Comrade commander, please speak!" ”

"Your division commander, Colonel Sologub, died honorably while crossing the river?"

"What?!" Hearing this bad news, Godlevsky was taken aback, and with an expression of disbelief on his face, he grabbed Mikhalishin's arm, shook it vigorously, and asked loudly: "Comrade Deputy Division Commander, is what General Chuikov said true?" ”

Mikhalishin's eyes were red, and he nodded slightly, indicating that what Chuikov said was true, while adding: "The ferry boat on which Comrade Comrade Division Commander was traveling, when approaching the shore, was hit by enemy artillery fire. As a result of the explosion of the shells, which caused the detonation of ammunition, there were more than 200 people on board, and less than 50 survived. ”

The deputy commander of the 112th Division and the chief of artillery were talking about the sacrifice of Sologub, and Chuikov quietly pulled me aside and asked in a low voice: "Oshanina, did you report the matter of Sologub to Shumilov?" Seeing me nodding, he then asked, "Who did he appoint to replace Colonel Sologub as division commander?" ”

Hearing Chuikov's question, I said with some embarrassment: "Comrade commander, the person who spoke to me was Comrade Serdyuk, the military commissar of the group army, and after listening to my report, he said that now the 112th Division no longer belongs to the battle sequence of our group army, and they have no right to decide on the new division commander. ”

After hearing this, Chuikov slapped his forehead with his palm and scolded in a low voice: "Confused, confused!" ”

Chuikov's words made me feel very embarrassed, and I supposedly should have reported this incident to him in time when I came over just now, but I was so busy watching the artillery equipment cross the river that I forgot about it.

Chuikov looked up. See my face flushed. chuckle. Hurriedly explained to me: "Oshanina, don't be too careful. I'm not talking about you, I'm talking about myself. It's so confusing that I forgot such an important thing as the 112th Division being assigned to the 62nd Army. ”

Hearing that the commander was apologizing to me, I hurriedly said, "Comrade commander, I am also at fault in this matter. I should have reported this to you as soon as I saw you. ”

After Godlevsky and Mikhalishin finished speaking, they walked up to Chuikov. Qi Qi raised his hands and saluted, and asked in unison: "Comrade commander, may I ask who is the new commander of our division?" ”

Chuikov spread his hands outward, shrugged his shoulders, and said helplessly: "It's a pity, two comrades commanders, I don't think I can answer your question. Because your division and the 98th Division have been assigned to the battle sequence of the 62nd Army from today, I, the deputy commander of the 64th Army, have no right to appoint a new division commander. ”

Mihalishin anxiously asked: "Comrade commander." How can that be done? Without a division commander, this unit would be a mess. Combat effectiveness will be affected as a result......"

"Comrade Commander, Comrade Commander!" Just then, a familiar shout was heard in the distance, and I turned my head to see the herald Sidorin hurrying towards us.

Seeing that Sidorin was running so closely, I guessed that there might be some urgent order to be given to Chuikov, so I said to Chuikov: "Comrade commander, you see, the herald Sidorin is running here, and it seems that there is some important order to be handed over to you. Chuikov nodded in agreement with what I said.

Sidorin panted and ran to us, and after raising his hand to salute Chuikov, he handed over a piece of paper, gasped and said: "Comrade commander, I just received a telegram from the headquarters. ”

Chuikov took it and looked at it, then turned to Godlevsky and Mikhalishin, who were standing next to him, and said: "I just received a telegram from Commander Shumilov, saying that he had just contacted the acting commander of the 62nd Army, General Kolpakchi, and informed him of the death of Colonel Sologub. Now Kolpakchi has appointed the deputy chief of staff of the command, Colonel Yermolkin, as the new commander of the 112th division. The Colonel is on his way here, and you should hurry up and do a good job of reception. ”

After the two agreed, Mihalishin asked again: "Comrade commander, will you also stay and wait for the new division commander together?" ”

Chuikov waved his hand and said, "I have other things to do, so I won't stay here." Good luck! After saying that, he shook hands with the four commanders of the two divisions one by one, and then hurried to the jeep with me.

On the way, I asked curiously: "Comrade commander, where are we going next?" ”

"By order of Commander Shumilov, we are to immediately rush to the station of the 229th Division and urge the troops of Colonel Sazhin and the troops of the 66th Marine Brigade to retreat."

"Didn't these two forces fight quite well? Why do you want to retreat? "I don't know about other troops, but I want to know that I was in the 229th Division two days ago, commanding the troops with Saren. In front of us, the enemy's attacks were repulsed again and again, and the division still had the strength to hold out longer.

"The current situation is very unfavorable for us, Comrade Oshanina." After getting into the jeep, Chuikov patiently explained to me: "Next, we will face an even more brutal and vicious battle, which will require troops with combat experience to quickly build fortifications along the Volga River and prevent the enemy from rapidly approaching Stalingrad." ”

For the first time, I heard from Chuikov about the defensive positions on the Volga, and it was clear that the Soviet forces had failed in their resistance in the Don Valley, and that they would gradually retreat from their existing positions, retreat into new positions on the Volga as they fought, and continue to fight hard and brilliant with the enemy.

As we approached the 229th Division's station, we suddenly heard a dense burst of gunfire ahead. Chuikov suddenly became anxious and urged the driver to speed up and rush to the division headquarters as soon as possible.

The division headquarters was set up on a small hill overgrown with trees, and when we arrived at our destination, we found that the division headquarters had already been transferred, and we could not see the division commander Sazhen, but only Bandurin, the director of the political department who had stayed behind to command the broken troops, and I heard him say that the main force of the division and the 66th Marine Brigade had retreated an hour earlier, and only one battalion and one company were left to take up the task of blocking the attack.

"What's the most intense gunfire?" Chuikov asked anxiously.

"Report to Comrade Commander," replied Bandurin, "that is, on an unnamed high ground ahead, with one of our companies holding back the enemy. If they fall there, the enemy will pounce on us. ”

"Let's go to the top of the hill and have a look." Chuikov said in an unquestioning tone that Bandurin wanted to dissuade, but seeing Chuikov's serious expression, he opened his mouth and swallowed the words back.

We arrived at the observation post at the top of the hill and looked through our binoculars at the nameless plateau ahead. Due to the shelling of enemy artillery and tank guns, the positions on the opposite side were shrouded in thick smoke and nothing could be seen at all.

When the enemy shelling stopped, the enemy infantry, which had gathered near the hillside, charged.

I saw through my binoculars that there was not a single figure in sight of the pyrotechnic position, nor could I hear a single gunshot. Even when the enemy's forward troops had cautiously approached halfway up the mountain, there was still no movement. Seeing this scene, I couldn't help but sweat, and said in my heart that the commanders and fighters on the battlefield wouldn't all be sacrificed, right?

I'm in a hurry, and so are Chuikov and Bandurin. Chuikov even gave Bandurin an order: "Comrade Bandurin, when the enemy reaches the top of the mountain, immediately order the light and heavy machine guns on our positions to open fire, and we must use fire to knock the enemy down." (To be continued......)

PS: Bow and thank the book friend Lao Godfather, Xiaoliang Kitchen Knife, Johnwinter, the Dead Pig, and Ding Ding 1970 for their precious monthly passes; The renewal ticket of the voice of the miracle of the book friend, the book friend beibei163, Xinchang Guowei, Jackson_c... Generous tipping.